Water-gage.



G. L. HUNTRESS, JR.

i WATER GAGE. t APLICATION FILED DEC. 2 2, 1910.

Patented A191222, 1913.

and Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on disclose the level of the water in the boiler -nection with the accompanying tube 1 having hollow, rounded ends 3 in- 'teriorly threaded to receive the ends of pipes rial.l The glass shown herein is what is kknown'to the trade as a -that the part of the glass which is covered GEORGE I.. nmvrmass, .m., or wincnnsa'm a a. .s CHUSETTS.

WATER-GAGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 22, 1.913.

i Application filed December 22, 1910. Serial No. 598,789.

To all whom it may concern: s lBe it known that I, GEORGE L. HUNTRESS, Jr., a citizen lof the United States, anda rcsident"ot 'vincliester, in the county of .Middlesex and Statev of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Tater-Gages, of whichthe following description, in condrawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to water gages and the like andamong other objects aims to provide a simple and effective device for securing the glass or other transparent means to the fluid containing part of'the'gage for disclosing the level of the `liquid therein.

'The character of the invention may be best understood by vreference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure l'is a rear elevation of a gage illustrated herein as embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1 showing parts in elevation;

line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrative gage shown therein'as embodying my invention comprises a i'luid/ container,v herein in the form of an elongated hollow block or 5 for connection with the upper and lower ends of a boiler or other. fluid container. To-

the tube 1 may be provided with an elongated opening T over -which may be placed a prism 9 of glass or Aother transparent mate- Klinger refiex glans, the characteristic feature .ofwhich consists in facets 11 (Fig. 3) on the inner side of said glass arranged in such'a manner b v the liquid inthe container will permit the glass covered b v a gaseous bodv such. for example, as steam and air, the light will be reflected from said facets so that a sharp' and clear line or demarcation is produced between the two bodies which will permit the level of the `liquid in the gage to be plainly seen, even from'a distance.

. evenly1 distributed i' placed on opposite sides It is' practically 'impossible to manufacture a. thick, elongatedv prism or stick 'of glass, such'as 9, which will be of uniform thickness throughout its length. Even if a glass of yuniform thickness could be pro duced itis subject to distortion inuse, owing .to the fact that in use the steam containing end of the gage is heated much hotter than the water` containing end!" thereof. .It' is,` therefore, essential to piovidevadevice Ywhich will secure the glass to the container with an pressure compensatingfor the differences in thickness of the glass referred to and any ditferences in thickness in the gaskets for the glass or dimension differences in otherparts of the gage.

I will, now describe'a device whereby the glass may be secured to the container with an evenly distributed pressure to prevent any possibility of cracking or breaking of the glass and prevent any possibility of leakag between said glass and-'said' container.

Tothis end there is provided a frame or lcasing 13 formed to receivethe tube 1 and glass 9, said frame having an elongated anert-ure -15 disclosing the` glass and permitting the level of the water in the tube to be readily visible therethrough. To cushion the .engagement of theglass 9 with-the frame 13 'and the container tube 1, gaskets 17 may be of said glass. To draw the 'glass and container together cam members or wedges 19. may be interposed between the back of the fra-me 13, the latter being provided with inner inclinedvsurt'aces 21 to conform to the taper of the wedges. It will be apparent that if -these wedges are thrust apart they will act through the frame 13 and draw the glass to the container and pressed together with a force-proportional to the amountthat the wedges lare spread a art. The. wedges 19 referablv are made o a ient steel or ot er suitable resilient material and are arched or given a slight longitudinal curve as well shown in Fig. .2 so that when they are spread apart andV thrust into the taper spaces4 between .the back of the container and the inner inclined frame surfaces 21 they are fiattened somewhat against .their inherent resilience and as a result tend continuously to draw and maintain the glass tightly against the container. To spread said wedges 19 apart container 1 and the `causer-them to be Bti ' be provided with ears projet .rd through elongated openings 25 amc said ears being threaded te receive' oiigios ti' threaded ends of a screuv il? which may here an intermediate portion slabbed ctt to provide suitable 29 for receiving a Wrench for adjusting thefscrew. When the screw QT is turned the 'Wedges 19 will be spread apart and dran` the glass tio'litlj, be observed As previously stated, it frequently occursI a that the glass not, of uniform thickness throughout its length and the container l and frame 'i3 may thel gage than at` the other end thereof. .l will new describe the clamping action of the Wedges whereby they automatically compensate for these ldifferences.in thickness.

, it may be supposed that the glass, gaskets, container tube and Wedges have-been assembled in the frame 13. To secure the glass to the container the glass and container preferably are temporarily secured together by any suitable clamping device. The gage is then subjected to heat and pressure such as it would receive in use; The l conta ier and otherparts-therefore expand or assume the dimensions, relations a1idf;on-';l'tions that they would have in use. The screw 27 is then turned and the wedges commence to4 spread. lf, for example, one end of the glass ii thicker than the other end thereof the wedge at that end will be arrested before the wedge at the oppositek The .continued turning of the screw Qi' will cause the. at the latter end to continue to inoi til' it also is arrested. iilhen the resistance to further movement of end.

the -u'e l 'jes "becomes equal the continued turnn` of the screw will cause them to be `thrust ahtly with equal force into the taper spaces' between thev frame faces 2l 'and the back of the tube. s e result of tais automatic selitadjusting" tion of the Wedges the glass and container are dra'n'n together with ay uniform pressure at the opposite .ends thereof and cracl'i'ing of the glass is prevented. After the wedges have been set as describedthe temporary clamping device maybe removed and-'the ;'Zlass is properly secured to the containerin readiness for use.

Haring described the means for eiiecting an equal clami'iing' pressure of. the opposite end portions of the glass, I will now describe a construction whereby the Wedges 'mayv Seat thei'nselres autoinaleailv if Pi-Mui lue-thicker at one end ofy evenly against the inner face a uniform pn1 iure transversely to the length of the rass. To this end the baci; ofv

the container may be constructed and arranged to have a fulcrum engagement with the wedges 1S). As shown herein the back of the container l is formed to present a curved or rounded bearing back 3l permittine the container when pressed by the mda'es to rock thereon and seat itself of the glass 9.

'l'he coi'itainer and glass .are therefore pi d together not only with a uniform pi. .ure along the length of the glass but also ivith a uniform pressure transversely to the length thereof.

l-leretofore considerable difficulty has been experienced with gagesby the 'loosening` ot the clan'iped parts when they are hiejl'ily heated in use. An important feature of the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the Wedges and adjusting screw whereby heat Will not loosen, but. on the contrary will tighten the parts. The screw is of considerable length' and therefore when heated will have considerable expansion in the direction of its length. l result when the parts are heated the screw will tend to spread the wedges and thereby e'tl'cctually maintain them tightly' seated between the-frame and container and there will be no danger of the glass and container separating to perinit leakage between them. Y

lt will be observed that4 the devices for clamping the glass to the container do not enter the container tube, but 'are applied exteriorly of said tube, thereby reducing the possibility of leakage to a minimum. The adjusting 'screw is exterior of the frame and readily accessible for adjustment.

The parts of the gage 4are. few in number, simple, strong in construction and readily assembled. It is not necessary to watch the rage to detect leakage and tighten adjustments. since this is done auton'iatically. The greater the heat and pressure the gage is subjected to the morev it Will resist leakage.

I-laving described one embodiment of the invention lWithout limiting myself thereto, what I claim as new anddesireto secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A. gage comprising, in combination, a v

' container; transparent means the level of ailiquid therein; and means for securing said transparent means to said con-` said transparent means with trlbuted pressure.

3. gage comprising,

an evenly disin combination, a

for disclosing tainer including clamping members; and means to move said membersrelativelyY to Aone another, said container being formed for .fulcrumengagement with said members.

4. A gage'comprising, in combination, a container; a gl and means tosecure the same-together inclu ing clamping members; and means to spre 'said members While permitting said container to seat itself 'against said glass Withan evenly distributed pressure. f

5. A gage comprising; in combination, 'a

l. container; transparent means for disclosing the level' of a liquid therein; a frame receiving said. container and transparent. means; and wedge means coperating with .said container'and frame for securing said container and transparent means together,

said containerv being formed for- 'i'ulcrum' engagementwith said Wedge means permitting said container to seat itself against said transparent n`ans'w`ith an evenly distributedpressure.

6. A gage 'compr1sin'g, 1n combmation, a

Huid container; a glass lfor-disclosing the level of a liquid therein; and means to secure said container and glass together comprising cooperating, adjusting means for automaticallyl equally vpressin,g said con tainer and glass` together longitudinally cally equally pressing -tainer together transversely to the length thereof; and adjusting means for automatisaid glass and conthereolf.- 7. 'A gage comprising; in combination. a container 1; an elongated glass prism 9 for disclosing the -level off'anliquid `in said container; a frame 13 receiving -said glass and container; Wedges 19 interposed between said container and frame: a screw 2t foi" movingsa-id Wedges apart to clamprsaid glass to s aid'contalner, the latter having-a 'fulcrum bearing portion 31 for engagement.

with said-wedges permitting said container 1.to seat itself against said glass 9 ivith an evenly distributed pressure. v

8.A gage comprising. -vin combination. a container; transparent means for disclosing the level of a liquid in said container: and means including resilient Wedge means for yieldahly securing said transparent means to said container.4

9. A gage comprising. in combination. .a container: transparent means for disclosing the level of a liquid in said container: a frame .for lsaid containe` and means: and

means including resilient Wedges coperating with" said frame and container for securing said means to A said container.

10. A gage comprising, in combination, a container; transparent means therefor; and means for securing saidtransparent means to said container including resilient Wedges tending to press said transparent means and container together and adjusting means for tensioning said Wedges.

l1. A gage comprising, in combination', a container; transparent means therefor; and means for securing said parts together' including resilient Wedge means formed to tend to pres`s-said cont-ainer and transparent means together; and means to distort said wedge means from .its normal shape and thereby tension said means.

12. A, gage comprising; in combination; a container having an aperture therein; transparent means over said aperture for disclosingthe level of a liquid in said container; and means for securing said transparent members, of sai means operable by: a single adjustment .for actuating said members.

13. A gage comprising, in combination, a fluid container having an aperture therein; a covering glass over said aperture for disclosing the level of a liquid therein; a frame for said glass and container: and clamping -wedge means'coperating ivith said frame land container for seating said glass over the aperture of said containertoprevent leakage between them.

,14. A gage comprising, in combination, a container having an aperture therein; transparent means over said aperture for disclosing the level of'theliquid` in said container; a frame for said transparent means and container and Vmeans cooperating with said frame and container for securing said transparent means over saidaperture, said means including a plurality of members and'means coperating withthe latter exterior of and separated from said frame and container.

15. A' gage comprising, in combinati'on, a container having an aperture therein; a glass over said aperture for disclosing the level of a liquid in said container; and means for securing said glass to said container including wedges and means connecting the latter for moving said Wedges longitudinally.

1G. A gage comprising, in combination; a container having an aperture therein: a glass covering said aperture for disclosing the level of a liquid in said container; al frame receiving sai'dglass and container; Ledges having portions, at the exterior of said'iframe: and means to adjust said wedges relatively tc one another to secure said glass over the aperture in said container to prei vent leakage between them.

1T. A Water gage comprising. in combination. a container having an aperture therein; l transparent means for said aperture; a

each opposite a different portion means 'tofsaid container including clamping container along its length; and

frame encircling said` container, and wedge means interposed between said frame and container for pressing said transparent means tightly toward said container to cover said aperture.

1S. A Water gage comprising, in combination, a container h aving an aperture therein; transparent means therefor; a frame receiving the latter; wedges cooperating with said frame andvcontainer and means for moving said Wedges to press said transparent means tightly over said aperture.

19. A Water gage comprising, in combination, a container having an aperture therein; transparent means therefor; a frame receiving the latter; )vedges cooperating with said frame and container and screw means for moving said wedges to press said trans-- container; ears on said Wedges and a screw having ends oppositely threaded vinto said ears forsettin'g said wedges to seat said glass to close said aperture. i

22. A gage comprising, in combination, a container having an aperture therein; trans parent means for said aperture for ldisclosing the level of a liquid in said` container; and means for securing said transparent means over said aperture including Wedge means and heat responsive expansible means coperating With said Wedge means and free from said transparent means and container.

23. A gage comprising, in combination, a container' having an aperture therein; transparent means for'said aperture for-disclosing thelevcl of a liquid in said container; Wedges; a vframe for said container, tra-ns# parent means and Wedges; and elongated heat responsive means. free from said frame and expansible longitudinally for moving saidxvedges to secure said-transparent means to said container.

24. A gage-colnprising in combination, a container having an aperture therein; transparent means therefore for disclosing the level of a liquid in said container; and' meansfor securing said container and transparent means together including .Wedgesg and heat responsive, expansible means for sliding said VWedges longitudinally oflsaid container to secure said transparent meansto said container. n

Q5. -A gage comprising, in combination. a container having an aperture therein a eovering 'glass for said aperture:` a. frame for receiving said glass; wedges interposedbetween said container and said frame; and

container having an aperture therein; a ,cov-l -ering glass for said aperture; a frame for receiving said glass; Wedge means coperating with said frame and container; and a heat responsive screw threaded to said Wedge means for automatically adjustingthe latter to press said glass and container to ward one another.

2S. A gage comprising, in combination, a

container having an aperture therein; a cov-- cring glass for said aperture; and means for securing said glass over said aperture 1n- -cluding Wedges taperingaway from one another; and heat responsive expansible means connecting said wedges for causing thc-latter to' move away from one another and dransaid glass securely over said aperture.

29. A 'gage comprising, in combination, a container'having an aperture therein; transparent means for said aperture; and means for securing said transparent'means to said container including members operating on different portions of saidtransparent means and self-adjusting heat responsive means for actuating said members to equalize the pressure between said .transparent means and container at said dili'erent portions.

80. A gage comprising; in combination, a

container havinga-n aperture therein; transparent means for said aperture; andl means for securing said transparent means to said container including Wedge' means actingl on opposite end portions of said container; and self-adjusting heat responsive means coperating with said Wedge means for equalizing the pressure on said end portions.

3l. A gage comprising, in combination, a container having an aperture therein; transparent means over said aperture and automatic means for securing said transparent meansover said aperture including wedges acting on different portions of said transparent means; land means connecting said Wedges'.

3'2. A gage comprising, in combination, a container' having an'aperture therein; transparent 'means for" covering said aperture, and means Vfor securing said transparent means over said aperturel including Wedges,

and screiv means connecting said wedges to permit the latter automaticallyto adjustloue themselves to the 'proportions of the parts secured together.

33. 4A` gage comprising;A in combination, a

over said aperture with tapering away from one another, and adjusting means connecting said Wedges independ--- entfof the rest oft-he gage.

- a 'uniform saideo-ntainer and said wedges'independent of cluding resilient, arched Wedge 34; A gage comprising, in combination, a container haring an -aperture therein; a glats covering said apertureand means for securing said glass vover saidaperture With pressure, Wedges. interposed between. said frame and another, and adjusting means connecting the rest the gage.

35. A container; transparent means therefor; and means for securing Said parts togetherfinmeans.

36. A gage comprising, in combination, a container; transparent means'therefor; and means for yieldingly' securing' said transparent means to 'said container including resilient Wedge means tending to assume an arched l:form and means to flatten and tension saidwedge means.

.37. VA gagecomprising, in combination, a container; transparent means therefor; and means for'securing said container and transparent means together including pressureapplying tvedges Aacting upon different portions' of the container, and transmission means for 'transmitting pressure from one Wedge to the other'. l

38. A gage comprising, in combination, a container; transparent means therefor; and means for securing said'eontainer andl transparentfmeans together including pressure'- applying 'Wedges acting upon different por# tions of the container, and transmission a uniform pressure,including wedges including a trame,

tapering away from one container having gage comprisingin combination, al

members act-ing upon different "iii means automaticallyv't'o equalize the pres?V (.sures applied by said Wedges., .y

means for securing Vsaid container and transparent means together'including pressure-U applying members acting upon diilferentp'ortions of the'container, means opposing said pressure-applying members acting upon the .margin of the .transparent means to leave the face thereof substantially and means automaticallyto equalize the pressures applied by the respective said members.

40. A gage comprising, in combination, a with luid-conducting means; transparent means for 4said container;. and securing said container and transparent means together including pressureapplying members acting upon different portions of said container and transparent meansv 'and` to equalize the pres' means automaticallysur-es applied by thefrespective said members.

4l, A gage comprising, in combination, a container having provision for. connection ivith viiuid#conducting. means; transparent means for said container; and means-for securing said vcontainer and transparent means together including pressureapplying portions of said transparent means, and combined adjusting an'd transmitting vingsaid members and automatically equaliz ing'the pressures applied by them.

In testimony whereof, Ihave signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GEORGE L. HUNTRESS, JR.

Witnesses HENRY T. lVILLIAMs, ROBERT H. KAMMLER.

unobstructed,

provision for' connect-ion means for means for adjust-` isl 39. A .gage comprising, in combination, a container; transparent means therefor; and 

